The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

On the Second Day, the Bishop of Central New York, reporting for the Committee on Ministry, moved the adoption of the following Resolution: (A-75) Renamed Canon III.2 "Of Postulants for Holy Orders"

Original Text of Resolution:

(A075)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that, in accordance with a specific recommendation of the Episcopal Study Committee on Preparation for the Ordained Ministry, the present Canon 2 of Title III be renamed "Of Postulants for Holy Orders," and wherever the word Candidate appears the word Postulant be substituted. In addition, in Sec. 7 after the words "Seminary he may be attending", add the words "or proposes to attend."

He recommends the adoption of the Resolution with amendment as follows:

Proposed Committee Amendment:

All references to Standing Committee and Standing Committee action be deleted from Canon 2 as proposed and that Section 3 in proposed Canon 2 be included in the proposed Canon 3. Sections affected are 4(b); 5(a); 5(b); 6; Sec. 10 of the present Title III, Canon 2; Sec. 5(a) should read: "The following papers laid before the Bishop and Commission on Ministry." Strike 5(a)(1), 5(a)(2), 5(a)(3), & 5(b).

The motion was seconded by the Bishop of Idaho.

Amendment adopted

The revision of Canon 2 as adopted by the above motion is as follows:

CANON 2.

Of Postulants for Holy Orders

Sec. 1. This Canon shall be interpreted in its plain and literal sense, except that words of male gender shall also imply the female gender.

Sec. 2 (a). Every person desiring to be admitted a Postulant for Holy Orders is, in the first instance, to consult his immediate Pastor, or, if he have none, some Presbyter to whom he is personally known, setting before him the grounds of his desire for admission to the Ministry, together with such circumstances as may bear on his qualifications, or tend to affect his course of preparation.

(b).(1). If, as the result of a careful inquiry into the physical, intellectual, moral, emotional, and spiritual qualifications of the applicant, he is counseled by the aforesaid Presbyter to persevere in his intentions, he shall make his desire known personally, if possible, or in writing, to the Bishop in whose jurisdiction he has been canonically resident for the three months preceding.

(2). But, with the written consent of the said Bishop, and on the recommendation of at least one Presbyter of the said jurisdiction who is acquainted with the applicant, the latter may at once apply to some other Bishop. He shall give to that Bishop the name of his Pastor, or, if he have none, of some other Presbyter in good standing, to whom he is personally known, from whom the Bishop shall ascertain, either by personal conference, or by direct report in writing, his qualifications, as stated above, for the work of the Ministry.

(c). The applicant shall state to the Bishop in writing (1). His full name, date of birth, and marital status. (2). The length of time he has been resident in the Diocese. (3). When, and by whom, he was baptized. (4). When, and by whom, he was confirmed. (5). When, and where, he was admitted to the Holy Communion. (6). Whether he has ever before applied for admission as a Postulant for Holy Orders. (7). On what grounds he is moved to seek the Sacred Ministry. (8). The level of education which he has attained, with degrees earned, if any, and areas of specialization.

(d). Before the admission of a Postulant, the Bishop shall whenever possible confer in person with the applicant, and shall require the applicant to submit to a thorough examination, covering both mental and physical condition, by professionals appointed by the Bishop. The forms for medical and psychiatric reports prepared by the Church Pension Fund shall be used for this purpose.

These reports shall be kept on file by the Bishop and shall be made available to the Commission on Ministry.

Sec. 3 (a). If, on the basis of the application, and of a personal interview (if such was had), the Bishop is moved to proceed in the matter, he shall so notify the applicant and the Chairman of the Commission on Ministry. The said Commission, either as a whole, or by means of a Committee charged with the responsibility, shall meet with the applicant to review the application and to prepare a recommendation in respect of the applicant's qualifications to pursue a course of preparation for Holy Orders. This meeting may take place at an interdiocesan conference in the conduct of which the Diocesan Commission is represented.

(b). The Commission on Ministry shall lay before the Bishop, with regard to each applicant, the aforesaid recommendation, together with reasons therefor.

Sec. 4. The following papers shall be laid before the Bishop and Commission on Ministry, to wit:

The formal application specified in Section 2 of this Canon.

The recommendation of the Commission on Ministry, as provided in Section 3 above.

If the applicant is or has been a student in a theological school, a transcript of his academic record together with the school's evaluation of his personal qualifications for the Ministry of this Church.

A certificate from the Minister and Vestry of the Parish of which the applicant is a communicant, setting forth the grounds upon which they judge him to possess such qualifications as would fit him to be admitted a Postulant for Holy Orders, and whether their judgment is based on personal knowledge or on evidence satisfactory to them.

This certificate must be signed by both the Minister of the Parish to which the applicant belongs and by a majority of the whole Vestry, and must be attested by the Minister, or by the Clerk or Secretary of the Vestry, as follows, viz.:

I hereby certify that the foregoing certificate was signed at a meeting of the Vestry of __________ Parish, ___________, duly convened at___________ on the ____________day of__________, ___________ and that the names attached are those of all (or a majority of all) the members of the Vestry.

(Signed)___________________,

Clerk or Secretary of Vestry.

But should the Parish be without a Minister, it shall suffice that in his place the certificate from the Vestry be signed by some Presbyter of the Diocese in good standing to whom the applicant is personally known, the reason for the substitution being stated in the attesting clause.

Should there be no organized Parish at the place of residence of the applicant, or should it be impracticable, through circumstances not affecting his moral or religious character, to obtain the signatures of the Minister and Vestry, or of the Vestry, it may suffice if the certificate be signed by at least --

(1). One Presbyter of the Diocese in good standing to whom the applicant is personally known; and, (2). Four Lay Persons, communicants of this Church in good standing, to whom the applicant is personally known.

In such case, the reasons for departing from the regular form must be given in the attesting clause, which shall be signed by the same, or some other Presbyter of this Church in good standing, and shall be in the following words, viz.:

I hereby certify that the Lay Persons whose names are attached to the foregoing certificate are communicants of this Church in good standing, and that this form of certificate was used for no reasons affecting the moral or religious character of the applicant but because (here give the reasons for departing from the regular form).

(Signed)_______________________________,

Presbyter of the Diocese of_____________

Sec. 5. When the aforesaid requirements have been complied with, the Bishop may admit the applicant as a Postulant for Holy Orders. He shall thereupon record his name, with the date of his admission, in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall inform the Postulant, the Commission on Ministry, and the Dean of the Seminary he may be attending, or proposes to attend, of the fact and date of such admission.

Sec. 6 (a). The Postulant, before entering upon, or pursuing further, his course of theological studies, must lay before the Bishop and the Commission on Ministry satisfactory evidence that he is the holder of an accredited baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, together with a full transcript of the academic work he has completed. If this work includes sufficient instruction in the subjects specified in clause (b) of this Section, and is otherwise deemed adequate and satisfactory, no examination shall be required.

(b). If the Postulant is not a graduate as aforesaid, and has not attained the age of 32 years, he may be required to obtain an accredited baccalaureate degree; if not, he shall be required to pass an examination, to be administered by the Commission on Ministry, or otherwise satisfy them that his knowledge is sufficient in the following subjects:

(c). If the Postulant is not a graduate as aforesaid, and has attained the age of 32 years, and has shown such proficiency in his occupation or profession as gives promise of usefulness in the Ministry, he shall be examined in the subjects listed in Sec. 6 (b) above, or otherwise satisfy the Commission on Ministry that his knowledge in these fields is generally satisfactory.

(d). If the native language of the Postulant is other than English, and he is to exercise his Ministry among peoples of his own language, or if he is of a distinctive or foreign culture, the Bishop may, on the recommendation of the Commission on Ministry, dispense him from the academic requirements of Sec. 6 (b) above, precedent to his being admitted to Postulancy.

(e). Should a Postulant who has been examined in any of the subjects prescribed in Sec. 6 (b) above afterwards apply for admission as Postulant in any other Diocese, he shall lay before the Bishop of such Diocese a certificate from the Bishop who admitted him as a Postulant stating what examinations he has taken and the result of each.

The Commission on Ministry may accept, in lieu of examination, satisfactory evidence that the Postulant has fulfilled the requirements in any one or more of the subjects specified.

(f). In every case the applicant must satisfy the Bishop and the Commission on Ministry that he possesses the intellectual ability and competence to enable him to pursue a course of study preparatory to the work of the Ministry.

Sec. 7. The Commission on Ministry shall report to the Bishop in writing whether the above requirements have been met.

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #83)